NCAA set for S101 launch in October

The Grand Old League is set to mark its 101st season on October 1, with hosts Mapua University holding its opener at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Continuing its partnership with its broadcast partner, GMA Network, the NCAA will usher in the season under the theme "Building Greatness."

With that in mind, NCAA Season 101 Policy Board President Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo says, "As we officially launch Season 101, we embark on a new era for the NCAA - one that places a deliberate focus on athletic achievement and progress for the NCAA. In line with this season's theme, we aim to inspire a new generation of student-athletes to not only compete at their highest level, but to also build upon the legacy of greatness that this league was founded on."

This viewpoint is shared by the rest of the members of Policy Board, comprised of:

• Francisco Paulino V. Cayco (Arellano University)
• Fr. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, OP (Colegio de San Juan de Letran)
• Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez, FSC (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
• Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos (Emilio Aguinaldo College)
• Dr. Vincent K. Fabella (Jose Rizal University)
• Atty. Roberto P. Laurel (Lyceum of the Philippines University)
• Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB (San Beda University)
• Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR (San Sebastian College-Recoletos)
• Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo (University of Perpetual Help System DALTA)

Adding new excitement to the league are some new developments, as revealed by Season 101 Management Committee Chairman Melchor Divina, most notably the tweaks made to the upcoming basketball and volleyball tournaments. Mapua's Sports Director notes, "NCAA Season 101 promises to be a landmark year for the league. These changes will not only elevate the level of competition, but also bring more excitement and a thrilling experience for our fans."

This is affirmed by his fellow ManCom members:

• Peter S. Cayco (Arellano)
• Fr. Victor C. Calvo, Jr., OP (Letran)
• Manuel Raymund A. Castellano (CSB)
• Dr. Lorenzo C. Lorenzo (EAC)
• Efren Y. Supan (JRU)
• Dr. Allan Paul Layco (Lyceum)
• Atty. Jonas D. Cabochan (San Beda)
• Fr. Virgilio M. Paredes, Jr., OAR (San Sebastian)
• Francisco P. Gusi (Perpetual)

The league will have its usual retinue of sports: 3x3 and 5x5 basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, taekwondo, badminton, table tennis, swimming, street dance, football, lawn and soft tennis, track and field, and cheerleading, as well as eSports, plus the potential introduction of special events like boxing, golf, gymnastics, and weightlifting, 

On the part of GMA, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso notes, "As the multi-platform media partner, GMA Network not only made the games available on TV but as well as digital since Season 96, dedicated to bringing a top-tier athletic league to schools, fans, and sports enthusiasts everywhere."

Amoroso adds, "As we enter an exciting new chapter this Season 101, GMA Network, the home of the NCAA, is committed to delivering a world-class viewing experience."

Such an experience will be in display with the opening ceremonies, slated to take place at noon, and set to be shown at 130pm on GTV.

Hosted by the trio of Martin Javier, Ashley Ortega, and Anjo Pertierra, the festivities will also feature a special performance from Aicelle Santos and the rendition of the NCAA Season 101 theme song "Own the Future" by the All Out Sundays' Divas of Queendom Thea Astley, Hannah Precillas, and Naya Ambi.

Afterwards, hardcourt action officially gets underway with a senior doubleheader, as hosts and defending champions Mapua take on Lyceum at 230pm, followed by the 5pm matchup involving CSB and San Beda.

The first game will be shown LIVE on both GTV and Heart of Asia, with the second game set to air on HOA.

Action is set to be broadcast five times a week:

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays: 11am on HOA, 230pm on GTV and HOA
• Fridays: 12nn and 230pm on HOA
• Sundays: 12nn and 230pm on GTV and HOA 

In addition, they are also set to be streamed online through the league's social media platforms. International viewers will be able to check out the action on GMA News TV, with the Opening Ceremony also being shown on GMA Pinoy TV. 

NCAA coaches excited for new basketball tournament format

THE NCAA coaches are all primed and ready to take on the Season 101 men’s basketball tournament with a brand new approach.

After all, they’ll be needing it, considering that the oldest league in the country will be enforcing a new format for the upcoming basketball season.

Veering away from the traditional double round-robin elimination format, the NCAA will now have group games divided into two pools.

San Beda coach Yuri Escueta sees it as a growing opportunity not just for the Red Lions but also for every other team in the league.

“Siguro for me yung beauty ng new format gives everyone a chance,” he said at Novotel on Monday afternoon during the league’s presser.

“Makikita mo rin sa preseason na lahat ng teams nagpalakas.”

In the NCAA’s newest format, teams are divided into Groups A and B and will play their group mates twice while playing the opposing group’s teams once.

For a total of 13 elimination round games, the positioning for each group will be established. The top three teams go on to the next phase while the two cellar dwellers for each group duke it out to determine the last members of the quarterfinals.

On paper, it sounds like teams will have a more complicated time to reach the promised land.

That doesn’t seem to faze Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, though, who believes every team will be hungrier come October.

“All of us naman, ang main goal naman natin is to win a championship,” he said.

In the quarterfinals, the two group’s teams will go on a crossover knockout phase with the top two teams of each pool gaining twice-to-beat advantages.

In the semifinals, four teams will clash in best-of-three series that’ll determine the cast for the Season 101 Finals.

Group A will have defending champion Mapua alongside fellow semifinalist Lyceum, Perpetual Help, San Sebastian and Arellano.

San Beda and College of St. Benilde banner Group B, which also has Letran, Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

The games officially begin on October 1 at the historic Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“Game On!” podcast airs beginning April 12

Ang dating palabas sa telebisyon, ngayon nasa podcast na.

GMA Integrated News, in collaboration with GMA Regional TV and Synergy, is putting forth its inaugural sports podcast, "Game On!." 

Hosted by the trio of Martin Javier, Anton Roxas, and Martin Antonio, Game On! will be chock full of stories, interviews, and special features on a variety of athletes, coaches, and sports luminaries.

The first episode is set to be released on April 12, with new episodes to be released every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other social media platforms.

With this announcement, Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso says, "We are very much thrilled to be launching the newest player in the podcast community and GMA Network’s first-ever sports podcast, “Game On!” As we keep with the technological trend, we are exploring to present sports in a more exciting and entertaining way."

He adds. "We invite all sports enthusiasts to join the country’s most trusted sports personalities Martin, Anton, and Hammer in promoting Philippine sports and the Filipino athletes. They will surely make sports a lot more fun and interesting as they discuss the latest sports trends and leagues, and interview athletes, coaches, and more."

It's a new element on Javier's plate, which already includes a segment within GMA's flagship news broadcast, 24 Oras, via "Game Changer." Martin shares about Game On!, "Sports talk like you’ve never had it before. “Game On!” podcast will bring fun and meaty conversations with your favorite personalities in sports."

For Roxas, this is an opportunity where he can chime and discuss the latest trends in sports, having spent countless years as a sports commentator. He says, "With this new platform, we hope to entertain, inform and bring people closer to their favorite sports personalities in a way that’s uniquely ours."

With his experience on the court, the man dubbed as "Coach Hammer" will be able to share his sports knowledge and background. The former Red Lion shares, "Game On” podcast will be a deeper and more fun discussion of things in and around sports."

The "Game On!" podcast is one of the newest initiatives coming out of the GMA Integrated News Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab (DigiLab).

NCAA Season 99 Juniors semifinals to commence Sunday

c/o NCAA

High School basketball action gets raised a notch with the semifinals of the NCAA Juniors Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Defending champions Letran finished with a 7-2 record, good enough for second place, behind the efforts of the Perpetual and their 8-1 mark. These two teams have secured the twice-to-beat advantage, in the process.

Completing the postseason field are San Sebastian and Mapua, who both tote 6-3 records.

Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso shares, "As the NCAA Season 99 Junior Basketball action continues, we continue to witness our young heroes level up their games — starting off with 10 highly competent teams battling it out on the court to the semi-finals round, which will start this March 10.  As we further inch closer to the Finals, Kapuso sports enthusiasts should not miss out as there will definitely be more fun, exciting, and action-packed games to look forward to."

He adds, "To our junior athletes, especially the Perpetual Junior Altas, Letran Squires, SSC-R Staglets, and Mapua Red Robins, continue being an inspiration to the youth. May you reap the fruits of your hard work, discipline, and determination."

The first semifinal matchup features the top-ranked NCAA HS player of the NBTC 24 in Amiel Acido leading the Junior Altas against Lawrence Mangubat and the Red Robins at noon. That match will be followed by the duel between Titing Manalili and the Squires against Ruvic Danag and the Staglets at 230pm.

If either Mapua or San Sebastian win their matchups on Sunday, the do-or-die decider will take place on Wednesday, March 13.

The finals is set to start on March 16 at 930am, with Game 2 on March 20 at 230pm and if necessary, Game 3 is at 930am on March 23. These games will be televised LIVE on GTV.

Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 Finals set for GMA simulcast

NCAA Finals

Game 2 of the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball is set to commence on Sunday, with the Mapua Institute of Technology at the cusp of clinching their first collegiate basketball title since 1991.

The Cardinals emerged as 68-63 winners against San Beda in Game 1 last Wednesday, with the likely Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis leading all scorers with eighteen points, six rebounds, and a couple of assists, while Paolo Hernandez contributed a double-double with sixteen markers and twelve boards.

It had been the first finals win for the Intramuros school since the historic buzzer-beater by Benny Cheng to defeat this same school.

San Beda will try to force a decider through the efforts of Jacob Cortez, who was limited to twelve points in Game 1, but has the ability to generate buckets anytime. James Payosing led the team with a double-double in the loss with fourteen markers and a dozen boards. Jomel Puno almost got a double-double with twelve points and nine rebounds.

Tip-off for the matchup is slated at 2pm with a simulcast on both GMA and GTV in broadcast, as well as streaming on the social media platforms of both the league, as well as GMA Sports. If necessary, the Game 3 next week will have the same broadcast treatment.

Senior Vice President and GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Head Oliver Victor Amoroso shares, "This season of the NCAA is definitely a must-watch not just for the NCAA community, but for all sports fans as the country’s longest-running collegiate athletic league is just a season away from its centennial celebration. As GMA Network, through GMA Synergy, airs the NCAA Season 99 Men’s Basketball Finals with Game 2 happening this December 10, we encourage sports fans to show their full support to the Mapúa Cardinals and San Beda Red Lions as they battle it out in the finals round after more than three decades. And as always, we thank our partners in the NCAA, especially the Management Committee, for trusting us and giving us this opportunity to bring the NCAA closer to our Kapuso."

Serving as the broadcast duo for this game is Martin Javier and Benjie Paras. Halftime entertainment at the Mall of Asia Arena will be taken care of by Sparkle Artists Hannah Precillas and Garret Bolden.

Also taking place is the historic third place game between Lyceum and the College of Saint Benilde at 9am, with the awarding ceremonies for the outstanding individual players in NCAA Season 99 taking place around lunch time.

NCAA All-Star Volleyball set for Sunday

Much like their basketball counterparts, GMA Network and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are set to have their GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games on Sunday afternoon.

Team Heroes and Team Saints will be set to tangle once again, with a sprinkling of Kapuso celebrities and NCAA volleyball student-athletes and alumni.

The men take to their taraflex first at noon. Team Saints is composed the likes of CSB's Johnvic de Guzman and George Gauani, Letran's Vince Himzon and Erickson James Ramos, Perpetual's Louie Ramirez and Rey Taneo, San Beda's Melver Lapurga and Jerome Lopez, San Sebastian's Richard Nino Tolentino and Kyle Angelo Villamor. Adding flavor are Sparkle artists Carlo San Juan and Prince Clemente, as well as courtside reporter Miguel Venegas. Coaching them is men's Coach of the Year Sammy Acaylar.

Taking care of Team Heroes are Arellano's Kim Vincent Tan and Christian Joseph Segovia, EAC's Joshua Ramilo and Juvie Mangarin, JRU's Kenneth Daynata and Larry Sioco, Jr., Lyceum's Siegfred Corral and Deon Xander Colorado, and Mapua's Angelino Jose Pertierra and John Benedict San Andres. Joining them are Sparkle artists Kristoffer Martin and Bruce Roeland, as well as analyst Jayvee Sumagaysay. Arellano assistant coach Timoti Manalansan will take the coaching reins.

Calling the action for this is the dynamic duo of Andrei Felix and Martin Antonio.

The women would then follow suit at 2pm. Team Saints will have Benilde's Zamantha Nolasco and Jannine Navarro, Letran's Chamberlaine Cuñada and Entezar Bangcola, Perpetual's Mary Rhose Dapol and Angelique Dionela, San Beda's Aurea Francesca Racraquin and Chynna Castillo, San Sebastian's Alyssa Eroa and Kristine Joy Dionisio. Sparkle artists Shaira Diaz and Lyra Micolob, as well as courtside reporter Chase Orozco complement the group, which will be mentored by Women's Coach of the Year Jerry Yee.

Team Heroes, which will be coached by Lyceum's Cromwell Garcia, will have Arellano's Regina Arocha and Trina Maurice Abay, EAC's Jen Omapas and Yvone Reyes, JRU's Sydney Niegos and Shola Alvarez, Lyceum's Ciarnelle Wanta and Zonxi Dahab, Mapua's Jonina Mae Fernandez and Alyanna Nicole Ong. Joining them are Sparkle artists Cassy Legaspi and Angela Alarcon, as well as analyst Kara Acevedo-Ong.

Calling the action for this is the duo of Anton Roxas and Carly Hernandez.

GMA Network First Vice President, GMA Regional TV and Synergy head, and GMA Integrated News acting head Oliver Victor B. Amoroso says, "The GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games happening this Sunday will surely excite and be enjoyed by NCAA and Kapuso supporters. This is one way to express our gratitude to them for their continued support of the NCAA Season 98 Volleyball Tournament."

Hosting the event are Martin Javier and Maureen Emily Schrivjers. The league's courtside reporters will be treating those attending the games at the Filoil EcoOil Centre to prizes through a variety of mini-games.

Serving as in-venue entertainment are Mikee Quintos and XoXo,

The GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games will be shown LIVE on GTV at noon, with simulcast streaming on the social media platforms of the NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports. Fans overseas will be able to watch through GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

Letran hopes to clinch NCAA HS title

Game Thursday at the San Andres Sports Complex

2:30 p.m. – La Salle-Greenhills vs Letran

Letran hopes to end a 22-year title drought in the high school basketball scene, as they face off on Thursday afternoon for Game 2 of the NCAA Season 98 finals at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The Squires defeated La Salle-Greenhills in Game 1, 85-81, behind the efforts of Syrex Silorio and Andy Gemao.

The latter shared to the media after the game, "Masaya kami pero hindi pa tapos ang championship. Marami po kaming lessons na napulot sa laro ngayon.  Tulad po ng kung paano po kami maging composed sa maraming crowd kasi lahat po kami rookie."

Silorio had a career day against the Greenies with 27 points and seven rebounds while also battling the NBTC All-Star duo of Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate. Gemao contributed a double-double for the cause with 21 points and fourteen rebounds. Also an NBTC All-Star, the guard added five assists and three steals.

When asked about what lies ahead for this one, Andy says, "Inaabangan ko po talaga yung twin towers po. Siguro po may gagawin silang adjustments.  Nasa amin na din po iyon kung paano namin hihigpitan yung depensa namin."

LSGH is hoping to channel its survival instinct much like in their semifinal encounter against San Beda, overcoming a twice-to-beat disadvantage to emerge victorious.

Game 2 will be aired LIVE on GTV and also streamed through the NCAA's social media platforms. The third and deciding game, if necessary, will take place on Monday, same time and venue.

NCAA, GMA set for All-Star Basketball

Action takes place on Saturday

The NCAA presses pause for their 98th season as they and broadcast partner GMA Network hold the "GMA NCAA All-Star Basketball Game on Saturday, October 15, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The league once again subdivides itself between the Heroes and Saints, and like its previous iteration earlier this year, a sprinkling of the hottest Kapuso artists get in on the action.

Serving as an additional spice for this season and in line with its current theme "Achieve Greatness Every Day," a couple of basketball legends will be participating as well.

For Team Heroes, the squad is composed of:

Arellano University: Cade Flores and Axel Doromal

Emilio Aguinaldo College: Allen Liwag and Nat Cosejo

Jose Rizal University: JL Delos Santos and Agem Miranda

Lyceum: Renzo Navarro and Omar Larupay

Mapua: Warren Bonifacio and Rence Nocum

Kapuso celebrities: Pancho Magno, Kokoy de Santos, Migs Villasis, Raheel Bhyria

Legends: Jerry Codinera and Allan Caidic

Muse: Lianne Valentin

As for Team Saints, they are composed of:

Letran: Fran Yu and Mark Sangalang

College of Saint Benilde: Will Gozum and JC Cullar

San Beda: JB Bahio and James Canlas

San Sebastian: Ichie Altamirano and Jesse Sumoda

Perpetual: Jielo Razon and Kim Aurin

Kapuso celebrities: Jeric Gonzales, Prince Clemente, Kirst Viray, and the incumbent Celebrity MVP in Jose Sarasola

Legends: Marlou Aquino and Willie Miller

Muse: Shaira Diaz

GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso shares, "We hope the NCAA fans will enjoy this special treat we prepared for them."

On the league's end, Season 98 Management Committee Chairman Estefanio Boquiron, Jr. of host school EAC says, "NCAA, the Philippines’ first collegiate athletic league, remains grateful for GMA Network's support. Aside from the ongoing Men’s Basketball games, we are excited to have another All-Star Game between our selected NCAA star players and GMA’s talented artists. We would like to invite everyone to catch it this Saturday, October 15."

Serving as host for the event is Anton Roxas alongside the league's courtside reporters, with Martin Javier and the father-and-son duo of Benjie and Andre Paras calling the All-Star Game proper.

Providing additional on-court entertainment are Kapuso performers XOXO, Jon Lucas, Kim de Leon, and Rochelle Pangilinan.

The game will be shown on GTV starting at 230pm. It will also be shown on the social media platforms of both NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports. Fans overseas can watch the action through GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

For those interested to watch in person at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, one can buy tickets either at the gate or via Ticketmax.

Pacquiao vs. Ugas: The Legend vs. The Olympian' set for GMA broadcast

The change in opponents will not alter GMA's plans to show Manny Pacquiao's upcoming fight in Las Vegas.

All things remain as scheduled for the Senator's showdown against current WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, after the latter stepped up to replace Errol Spence Jr. The American had to bow out due to a detached retina.

GMA Network, is still set to show the free TV broadcast of the boxing event on Sunday, August 22, in partnership with TAP Digital Media Ventures Corp, at 11am, with a same-day replay at 1030pm. Those who prefer a live blow-by-blow coverage can head on to GMA's flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594 and its sister stations nationwide starting at 9am.

The Cuban is set to defend the title for the first time after defeating Abel Ramos last year. This is the same title Pacquiao claimed in defeating Keith Thurman in his last fight back in 2019. Ugas had been set to face Fabian Maidana as part of the undercard for Pacquiao-Spence before all the changes were made.

Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96 to cap off Sunday

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is set to put a bow on its 96th season with a special program on Sunday, August 8.

To be shown on GTV at 5:05pm, the closing ceremonies will feature performances from The Clash alumni Jessica Villarubin, Jeremiah Tiangco, and Anthony Rosaldo, who sang this season's theme as well as "Patuloy ang Pangarap." Rise Up Stronger NCAA Season 96 hosts Martin Javier and Sophia Senoron will also host this special presentation.

Reflecting the signs of the times and observing health and safety protocols, the abbreviated season commenced last June 13 and featured poomsae and speed kicking for taekwondo, chess, and skills challenges in basketball and volleyball.

All ten member-schools (Arellano University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA) of the NCAA participated this season, the first collegiate athletic league to safely conduct a sports tournament since the eruption of the coronavirus pandemic, living up to their theme, "Rise Up Stronger."

Aside from the performances, members of the NCAA Policy Board and the Management Committee will grace the NCAA Studio of Champions, which has served as the hub of coverage for the season.

Season 96 Policy Board President Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP expressed his gratitude to the viewing public for their support of the season. "Admittedly, it has been a challenging season as we joined the rest of the world in confronting this pandemic—enduring death, disease, and other difficulties; continuing with whatever remains of our plans and offering our courageous response, our wonderful hope to our member school communities, to our student-athletes, and to our fans," he shares.

The Letran rector adds, "By the grace of God, we have found a new broadcast partner in GMA Network, Inc. and opened this special Season 96 with much promise and pomp. By pushing through and completing this special Season 96, we have made the NCAA to rise together stronger than ever, more relevant and ready for the next chapter of our history."

Also set to take place is the handover to next season's hosts, CSB. Incoming Policy Board President Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC provided some optimism for the upcoming campaign. "We have seen how Filipinos strive and persist despite many challenges. The grit, passion and commitment to do what is necessary to win and achieve our goals are especially evident in the stories of our athletes. This year we were reminded of our national pride and the Filipino spirit through our national athletes who raised our flags and brought home medals from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Inspired by our national athletes and our students, such as Hidilyn Diaz, the first Olympic Gold Medalist of the country, we continue to provide a venue for our student athletes to develop the values and discipline through NCAA. With united spirits, let us continue to train and inspire our students to use their gifts and abilities, and strive to build our nation. May the next season be a year of extraordinary unity for all of our schools and nation."

NCAA Season 96 is the first season of the new deal the league had with the GMA Network, who stepped up to handle the broadcast rights after the collapse of ABS-CBN. Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon shares, "From all of us here in GMA Network, we extend our warmest congratulations to the NCAA Season 96 Policy Board and Management Committee, NCAA student-athletes and coaches, and the entire NCAA community for successfully mounting its most challenging and fruitful season yet. Once again, NCAA has made history by becoming the first collegiate athletic league in the Philippines to safely hold a sports tournament in the time of pandemic. Keeping the spirit of sportsmanship alive during these trying times is a necessary message that promotes unity and hope. That when we all come together, we can all rise up stronger. This makes us even more proud to call GMA the home of NCAA. We feel even more honored to be part of an institution that continuously helps shape the future of our young athletes and national pride. So, as we culminate NCAA Season 96, we leave you with a promise that GMA Network will remain committed to provide NCAA with a world-class treatment and a well-deserved global recognition. Ang inyong Kapuso Network, buong puso para sa NCAA."

Aside from GTV, the closing ceremonies will be seen overseas on GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

For more details, check out www.ncaa.com.ph and follow both @ncaaphilippines and @gmasynergy on Instagram.

GMA Network secures Pacquiao-Spence rights

Manny Pacquiao is set to be on your free televsion later this month, as GMA Network, in partnership with TAP Digital Media Ventures Corp., has secured broadcast rights to his matchup against Errol Spence Jr., later this month.

The boxing event, called "Pacquiao vs Spence Jr.: Generational Showdown" will take place on August 21 (22 in the Philippines). Las Vegas will host it, specifically at the T-Mobile Arena.

Local television coverage will commence at 11am on GMA-7, but those who want blow-by-blow coverage can do so via AM radio through Super Radyo DZBB 594 and its sister stations across the country. Their coverage starts at 9am.

Replay for those who missed the fight is scheduled at 1030pm, also on GMA.

The fight is for Spence's International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles, which he has held since 2017 for the former and 2019 for the latter.

Manny is fresh from claiming the WBA super welterweight title against Keith Thurman just over a couple of years ago.

‘Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96’ officially opens June 13 on GTV

The first athletic league in the Philippines is going to finally commence with its long-delayed season, as it finally ushers it in with the Opening Ceremonies this Sunday, June 13.

With due observance to the ongoing health and safety protocols, "Rise Up Stronger: NCAA Season 96" finally kicks off after a long delay, with a new broadcast partner in GMA Network.

Host school Colegio de San Juan de Letran is expected to showcase the world-class talent of the student-athletes from its member-schools.

NCAA Policy Board President for this season, Fr. Rector Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP of Letran, emphasized the significance of being able to open the season during these times. He shares, "Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut us down last year, the NCAA—the Philippines’ first and longest-running collegiate athletic competition—has resolved to move forward and to carry the good fight, for our love of the game. GMA Network, the NCAA, and all our member school communities, our student-athletes, our fans, shall all rise up stronger, shall boldly and bravely face the challenges of the new normal in collegiate athletic competition and sports broadcast."

NCAA Management Committee Chairman for this season, Rev. Fr. Victor Calvo Jr., OP, also from Letran, adds, "NCAA would like to show the creativity and resilience of the Filipinos, especially in the pandemic. We don't give up—that’s the message we want to deliver. We have to adjust to the situation and make the most of it."

After a long relationship with ABS-CBN Sports, the league has a new broadcast partner in GMA Network. GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso says, "We are grateful to the NCAA for their confidence in GMA Network as their new home and to our student-athletes for keeping the passion for sports alive. After months of preparation, we are finally unfolding NCAA Season 96. We are excited to start the next phase of our partnership with NCAA. Season 96 officially kicks off with the GMA-produced opening ceremony that is apt and fitting to NCAA, a premiere collegiate sports league. We are rising to the challenge of showcasing world-class talents of our Filipino student-athletes while still adhering to the health and safety protocols. Season 96 puts forth an awareness that there is more to NCAA than institutional achievements as it continues to provide thousands of young Filipino athletes the opportunity to achieve their dreams and become the best version of themselves."

For the Opening Ceremony, Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos have been tapped as hosts, with Rise Up Stronger: the Road to NCAA Season 96 hosts Martin Javier and Sophia Senoron acting as co-hosts.

Fr. Marquez will provide the opening remarks, while Fr. Calvo will lead the invocation. Men's Basketball Team Captain Jeo Ambohot will oversee the virtual oath-taking of the student-athletes.

The Opening Ceremony also serves as a stage for Kapuso artists to shine, from performances by Aicelle Santos and a variety of The Clash alums. GMA Artist Center talents will also serve as flag bearers and muses:

Ralph Troy Noriega and Angela Alarcon for Arellano University

Kimson Tan and Pam Prinster for De La Salle-College of St. Benilde;

Caloy Tingcungco  and Ysabel Ortega for Emilio Aguinaldo College

Kim de Leon and Lexi Gonzales for Jose Rizal University

Brent Valdez and Kyline Alcantara for Lyceum of the Philippines University

Gab Yabut and Ayra Mariano for Mapua University

Manolo Pedrosa and Crystal Paras for San Beda University

Jamir Zabarte and Zonia Mejia for San Sebastian College-Recoletos

Jeremy Sabido and Shaira Diaz for University of Perpetual Help System DALTA

Radson Flores and Mikee Quintos for Colegio de San Juan de Letran

After the Opening Ceremony, the NCAA primer, "Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96," takes on a new role as the show to cover the league's competitions, starting with Poomsae and Speed Kicking. The latter is a new competition that the Philippine Taekwondo Association has devised and tailored for the upcoming season.

Aside from Javier, GMA has also tapped a familiar face for NCAA aficionados, as Anton Roxas joins the network to call the action, as well as highlights.

Fans can check out Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 everyday, with weekdays at 2:45pm, while it is on Saturdays at 4:30pm and 5:05pm on Sundays, all of which on GTV. Fans based overseas can check them on GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV. 

The league also released an app that would provide updates for both Android and iOS users.

For more updates on NCAA, visit its official website www.ncaa.com.ph. Follow @ncaaphilippines, @gmasynergy, and @gmasports on social media.